In the current economic climate, schools are under increasing pressure to make their money work harder, and this includes getting maximum value from their insurance.

In 2018, we launched a new proposition which gives schools the option to buy insurance for their academy or multi-academy trust under a comprehensive package policy, aiming to provide schools with value for money. Customers have the flexibility to include optional extras, such as cover for motor vehicles and engineering insurance and inspection.

Case study: Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, an academy in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, was already using Zurich Municipal for its engineering insurance and engineering inspection cover, but sourced its main insurance elsewhere.

Last year, we spoke to the academy about their insurance options, and after asking three quick underwriting questions, provided a quote for a package of cover that cut the academy’s premium by more than 10% for the year. Our dedicated customer account manager took the time to fully understand the needs of the school, providing additional quotes for optional elements of cover.

Sandra James, from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, said: “A combination of a significant financial saving, and excellent customer service, helped us to make our decision to insure with Zurich Municipal as of 1 September last year.”

Later in 2018, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School formed a multi-academy trust with three other schools, creating the Horncastle Education Trust. We were able to provide the new trust with a package of cover, which included occasional use of motor vehicles, engineering inspection and insurance, and professional negligence, which saved the trust more than £2,000.

This saving was based on the insurance needs of the Horncastle Education Trust. Premiums will vary depending on the insurance needs and risk factors for each school.

Keeping children safe online

With so many children in the UK now having regular access to a smartphone or tablet, there is an increasing need to educate school communities on all aspects of the digital world.

We have been working with safeguarding experts, INEQE Group, to develop the Safer Schools mobile app, which aims to deliver up-to-date, credible and relevant resources and messages to parents, carers, teachers and pupils.

Every school that buys our package of insurance will receive access to the Safer Schools app at no extra cost.

The app can be customised by schools to be relevant to the age of its pupils. It helps educate adults on the latest trends in social media and the platforms children use, and provides valuable guidance to children on how to stay safe online.

As well as providing information, updates and notifications about emerging risks, threats and trends, the app also provides a CPD-accredited course for teaching staff, that is easy to access and simple to use.

After completing the three-hour online training, staff can take a Safeguarding Level 1 test, to check their knowledge. This makes it simple for schools to report to Ofsted what training has been completed.

The app can also save schools having to spend money on online training tools.

Access to legal expertise

Another benefit we offer to the schools we insure is access to DAS Law Limited legal helplines for advice and guidance. These helplines are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

DAS has a team who understand academies. They can provide unlimited telephone legal advice, and our insurance includes cover for legal defence costs if necessary.

DAS can also provide tax advice, commercial legal advice, business assistance in the event of an emergency, counselling for employees, and access to an employment manual.

Before approaching a legal firm and committing to potentially expensive legal costs, schools can use the DAS helplines to seek advice and guidance.

Helping schools to manage risk

We also offer a risk management helpline to all customers. Our team can answer questions about the best way to protect students, staff and parents from risks within the school.

How we can help

To find out more about the benefits of arranging your academy or multi-academy trust insurance through Zurich Municipal, please call us on 0800 917 9445 or email us at Schools@zurichtogether.co.uk.

Zurich Insurance plc is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and authorised and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details about the extent of our authorisation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request.